Shaolin Soccer (2004)

While this shares some of the wonderful sense of the surreal and absurd that made Chow's 2008 "Kung Fu Hustle" a true classic comedy spoof of marshal arts films, it's nowhere near as consistent or as inventive in it's comedy. There are some real laughs, but also some serious dead spots and too-easy jokes in this tale of a bunch of once Shaolin trained Kung Fu masters giving up their hum-drum and largely unsuccessful work-a-day lives to team up and become the mightiest soccer playing force the world has ever seen. Or are they? Team Evil is waiting to take them on in the $1 million soccer tournament. Good-hearted and original enough to be worth seeing once, but unlike it's even wilder and smarter descendant I can't imagine feeling a need to go back and see it again, or to own it. If that later film is like a Hong Kong action Monty Python film, this one is more Three Stooges.

SHAOLIN SOCCER is a real mixed bag of a film, that is both wildly uneven and wildly entertaining. Starting off on very dodgy, unfamiliar ground (if you think Jackie Chan's style of comedy is bizarre, you've seen nothing), I began by wondering what on earth I was watching. However, once the film gets onto the subject of football (about 45 minutes in), things start to get really good, as the typically inept group of kung fu fighters form a team and get ready for one heck of a match.Stephen Chow throws in plenty of diverse elements to keep the viewers watching, from numerous references to films (e.g. THE MATRIX) and actors – including a goalie who's the reincarnation of Bruce Lee. The comedy is of the hit and miss variety but there are some genuinely funny moments, which tend to be the most bizarre of the film – including the 'egg' joke which has to be seen to be believed. The acting is fine, if a little over the top (but in light of the film as a whole, how could it not be?) and the special effects, done using CGI, are fantastic.The strength of this film lies in the football matches. There are about five spread throughout the film and they're brilliant; if you've ever wanted to see players flying through the air, spinning around upside down, or lots more crazy things, then this is the film to watch. Make no mistake, I hate football, I loathe sport in general and find it stultifyingly boring, but SHAOLIN SOCCER breathes life into the game. The end match is the best part of the film, surprisingly violent but with the scene in which the goalkeeper's clothes are torn off by the power of the ball, you can't help but watch, gape, and laugh at the sheer insanity of it all. Unlike anything else you'll ever see.

I remember watching this movie when it hit theaters 15 years ago and I remember it as a quite good movie. By experience I know that childhood memories of movies tend to be a bit better than reality, so naturally I was a bit cautious when I decided to revisit Shaolin-Soccer last night. Luckily this is not the case, because this movie is still quite good! I'm not really into movies about sports, martial arts or love, so for me this mixture of soccer and martial arts, sided with a somewhat subtle love story, and topped off with a pinch of goofy humor, creates an refreshingly original and interesting movie about those same subjects. I'm pretty sure I don't always understand the Chinese form of humor, and most likely some of it is also lost in the subtitles as well… but still, it makes me smile, and it makes me cheer for the good guys! In every sense of the words, a movie easy to watch, and easy to enjoy.

Next time you are in the mood for a laugh out loud action comedy film that's both clean and wicked funny, turn to Shaolin Soccer. This wonderful film starts a rag tag group of brothers that have lost their way in Shaolin and band together to win a soccer tournament. The action and chaos that ensues is hilarious and amusing, as long as you go in knowing that it's supposed to be!Sounds ridiculous, right? That's exactly the point. The whole plot, while it works and is pretty well done, is meant to be taken very lightly. It is an absolutely goofy, absurd and high comedy gag fest that has laughs coming at rapid fire. I can't recommend this movie enough; Shaolin Soccer truly kicks grass!